In the NZ herald today, Terence O’Brien has been questioned about the recent revelations of spying to get Minister’s jobs after politics. Despite a Press Corp being with the PM in ROK, none has yet bothered to as the Koreans, or the former Foreign Minister GCSB spied upon, for their comment, instead relying on Honest John’s assessment. Here is what Mr O’Brien said:

…surveillance on the Indonesian candidate was “truly repugnant for our long-term relationship” with the world’s largest Muslim country. Terence O’Brien – former UN ambassador, ambassador to the WTO-Gatt and president of the UN Security Council – was stunned. “What on earth were they trying to do?” asked Mr O’Brien, a diplomat of 40 years. NZ herald today

It may have always been going on, I don’t know. I would think most Diplomats would be kept in the dark if it were so they can be very plausible in their professional overtures.

I confess it didn’t occur to me that we would be spying on allies/friends… but then since 1984 our “war” has been to expand capitalism to the greatest effect for those who benefit the most, so why wouldn’t our spies be used as backdoor subsidised R and D for corporates?

I think we need to start charging companies for the cyber security and corporate espionage we do on their behalf with our money.

I repeat that this revelation and the recent ones make a joke of the idea that the public can’t see and debate TPP cos of the need to preserve confidentiality so we dont weaken our negotiating position, when, if Honest John is right, everyone is spying on everyone = no secrets so reveal all.

Last point i want to make is that about 800 people protested at Auckland Wharf on Sunday. 800. No “rent a mob” accusations. The yachting community is in outrage, amongst others. The story had extensive follow-up yesterday and again this morning…

5000-10,000 turn out in Auckland alone to protest TPP and it is a “Meh”

I DO NOT SUPPORT further reclamation but when Mr Business (Cameron Brewer) is against a commercial expansion i can’t help but wonder is he doing it for Auckland or to twist the knife further into Len Brown.

I’d guess that competition would be scoped out in the past. I’d guess that would entail making inquiries of your networks to see what ‘heads up’ they could provide you with. The application of full on electronic surveillance is, in some ways, simply a disgustingly mindless extension of that.

Yep I expect Key’s place in history will be much the same shape as Muldoon’s. Extremely popular at the time, then dropped like a bad habit, and a few years later it’ll be near impossible to find anyone who admits to voting for him.

You should hear what real people say about John Key. The comments here and elsewhere on the net are sedate. When working, I hear the c bomb on a regular basis to describe Key and co. This has only started to happen in the last few months – women almost as often as men. Oh and there is that fornication word, that prefaces it.

can you imagine the ramifications of this U.S law,especially if other countries adopt it….’But only one bill sponsored by Cruz has become a U.S. law — and it was a narrowly targeted piece of legislation that came out of the Judiciary Committee, upon which he serves, to uncontroversially deny “admission to the United States to any representative to the United Nations who has been found to have been engaged in espionage activities or terrorist activity against the United States.” The bill passed in Cruz’s second year in office.’-yahoo news)

“which still begs the issue about Fletcher’s resignation….
curiouser and curiouser”

They all conveniently claim to resign for ‘personal reasons’ ! I would think they lack honesty, integrity and above all, courage, to come clean as to the REAL reason why they resigned from a high profile position.

This is the point. Mass surveillance will always be misused by those in power, to gain more power.

It is not about safety, it is about control.

Do the public want to be controlled by their governments?

Do the public want an escalation in spying and warfare?

Do the public want NZ to remove themselves from UN to full allegiance to the 5 eyes club which spies on the UN?

In addition the spying does not go to NZ, it goes to the US and can be passed on. Therefore it is not for NZ interests at all. It is a one way exchange that NZ is not even benefiting from as a country. Only individuals seem to be benefiting, such as John Key. The SIS are actually working against opposition politicians such as discrediting Phil Goff to gain political advantage.

NZ is just ‘one of the club’ passing on mass intelligence with no control on how that intelligence will eventually be used, whether it is modified, how it is stored, how well that is secured, whether it can be traded etc.

At the same time as the NZ taxpayer pays for it, the public is told we are not allowed to know. In short, our government probably does not even know. They are just blindly following like some corrupt regime that is also being propped up in power by dirty politics and the US.

The world is dwindling in resources. Are we at a point where some individuals, corporations and governments are escalating the dwindling of resources, while controlling the media message, also building a power base as a winner takes all scenario? Those in power certainly don’t seem interested in conserving resources, more like controlling the resources and individuals to boot.

Is anyone giving thought to constructive new roles New Zealand could develop, including perhaps even in relation to the United States itself, outside of the Five Eyes Club?

It would be very hard for any political party to handle the international blow-back if it just dropped the 5 Eyes relationship and tried to leave it at that. So much so that it is hard to envisage a party like Labour or even the Greens being willing to do so, especially if they had to do so from within an alternative policy-vacuum.

There are international cyber-intelligence issues that both the United States and its rival China as well as others have said they want dealt with, issues on which a New Zealand that wanted to help could open up useful diplomatic liaison and wider conversations. Some possibilities for such cyber-diplomacy are opened up in the blog:
“From the Edward Snowden case to a new Switzerland of the Southern Hemisphere?”http://www.village-connections.com/blog/?p=6765

To move beyond negative debate that, however important, by itself ends up nowhere, it is important to work from the perspective of a constructive vision. For some suggestions about this, try:
“Fulfilling the promise of new technology unencumbered by security agendas”http://www.village-connections.com/blog/?p=6795

Other blogs can be found by looking up “Snowden” in the village-connections.com search engine.

It would be very hard for any political party to handle the international blow-back if it just dropped the 5 Eyes relationship and tried to leave it at that.

The way you’re talking, NZ would have never left the nuclear club. I would agree with the sentiment that Labour is currently a pro-imperial party, however.

Nevertheless, no one is talking about walking away from FVEY. The question is the vast and unaccountable power those surveillance systems give to partisan players. Power which will be misused because history has shown that they will always be misused.

Whatever NZ did to declare itself nuclear-free in the 1980s, in any international crisis NZ would find itself well back in the nuclear club given the way it is tying itself back in with its nuclear ally thanks to a lobby working assiduously in Wellington and Washington to achieve this.

Re 5 Eyes: whatever people are “talking about” the options are to accept it on the terms of its creator and major stakeholder, or face situations that no one seems to have discussed to date.

Lange tried to qualify the Anzus relationship on New Zealand terms by trying to make it nuclear-free, to which the US reaction was a fairly predictable thumbs down, and a lot of divisions and conflicts emerging up and down the country.

What Labour then had to begin doing was to create a new foreign policy, the beginnings of which we saw with its (and then National’s) support for peace talks over Bougainville and the liaison Winston Peters undertook in 2007 as Helen Clark’s foreign minister between North Korea and the United States over the former’s nuclear development program (Blog: New Zealand should help cool Korean and United States headshttp://www.village-connections.com/blog/?p=5984)

Re 5 Eyes: whatever people are “talking about” the options are to accept it on the terms of its creator and major stakeholder, or face situations that no one seems to have discussed to date.

So we’re hostages who have to comply, “or else”? It takes a gutsy and capable government and a civil service with serious backbone in order to push back against this kind of BS. Some effort to apply our own values to resist the creeping secret police and surveillance state that the US has been spreading across the world wouldn’t go amiss.

it is unlikely he was briefed on this particular endeavour (or have you already forgotten recent events) and as Clemgeopin points out below, he has called for an inquiry.
What else do you want him to do at this time?

said the use of the GCSB was “highly dubious” when it was meant to combat security threats.

“This is outrageous. The GCSB is a foreign intelligence agency, not a recruitment agency. For all we know they also wrote his CV.

“These actions are a massive misuse of an agency which should be focused on our security threats, not the future employment prospects of a minister,” Little said.

“As the minister in charge at the time, John Key must explain how he or anyone at the GCSB thought this was an appropriate use of the agency’s resources.”

Little said the Inspector General of Intelligence and Security, Cheryl Gwyn, should undertake an inquiry.
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He said the revelations were embarrassing to New Zealand and “totally inappropriate”.

“I would have thought it would be unlawful,” he said.

“(The GCSB) is there to deal with security threats, it’s not there to advance the career interests of select politians.”

A claim by Prime Minister John Key’s office that deliberate misinformation was being given to Kiwis was a “convenient thing to hide behind,” he said.
—————————

NZ First leader Winston Peters:

A former foreign affairs and trade minister, said the apparent help Mr Groser got from the GCSB for the WTO bid was unlikely to fall within the legal purposes for which the bureau existed.

“It just stinks,” Mr Peters said. “There’s no way spying on competitors for the WTO job would remotely conform to New Zealand’s economic purpose and wellbeing. What you have is people seriously breaching their authority to help a hopeless case for the job in the first place. Groser never had a hope in Hades of getting that job.”

He said the GCSB had a role where there was “any hint of sabotage of our economic interest”.

“That’s not what it is being used for. What you have here is legitimate interest being seriously distorted and perverted for an illegitimate purpose.”

————————

Green Party intelligence spokesman Kennedy Graham :

said the documents showed the GCSB was being used to further a National MP’s personal ambitions.

“It is a dangerous slippery slope when the GCSB is used to gain a Cabinet minister a personal position,” Graham said.

“We cannot have ministers using spy agencies as their private recruitment manager.

“The personal use of the GCSB is total political abuse of an agency that is meant to be working in New Zealand’s national interest.

“The GCSB is meant to be working in our national interest, not the private interest of the National Party.

“It is hard to argue that Tim Groser being the head of the WTO would gain any advantage for New Zealand, as the position demands neutrality as a fundamental requirement of the role.

“This begs the questions why is the GCSB spying for Groser and where is the legal justification?”

Graham said the revelations also raised questions about whether New Zealand spied on rival nations while it was competing for a seat on the United Nations Security Council.

“The Green Party has always maintained the laws that govern the spy agencies are too broad and they need to be tightened,” he said.

————————

John Key, National party leader and PM :

told reporters the South Korean hosts “wouldn’t give a monkey’s” and “wouldn’t believe it” but refused to comment further.

————————-

[From Stuff and NZH]

P.S :

I doubt if Key knows the meaning of the words, arrogance, stupidity, inappropriate, shameful, criminal activity and illegal.

The search they used would have returned results on communications by Grosser himself. This means that they would have collected and viewed the personal and governmental comminications of a New Zealand citizen with no warrent. This would be illegal. Even if Grosser gave his permission there would have been communications from others to him and it would have been difficutl if not impossible to get consent from them all.

I am sure JK can find a lawyer under some rock who will say it was legal if he pays him enough though.

Its not really worth commenting on really, I mean are spies are spying whoop dee do

Its not like this hasn’t been going on for decades well actually countries have been spying on each other ever since there were countries

Now the prominant NZer with name suppression is a different kettle of fish entirely, thats what could bring down a government (not that I’m suggesting theres anything to link it to this government) if there was shown to be any connection

No great analysis, but NZ spies on the Indonesian candidate for a job in the very organisation (WTO) that the US and NZ want to use to force Indonesia to buy their product, in direct opposition to Indonesia’s domestic government’s decision to strive for greater self-sufficiency. No doubt it is this “dispute settlement procedure” hinted at that is meant to be “streamlined” in a future TPPA.

Under the GCSB Act amended last year, the GCSB can undertake virtually any type of spying if it is the “NZ national interest,” including on NZ’s resident or traveling abroad. Similarly, the definition of “national security” in NZ includes “threats to the economic wellbeing” of the nation. Thus it is possible that some in the GCSB saw advancing Mr. Groser’s candidacy for the WTO presidency by spying on his rivals as being in the national interest, done in pursuit of economic security and thus permissible. It remains to be seen if the PM, as Minister of Intelligence and Security at the time, was informed about the targeted eavesdropping program before or after the fact.

What is clear is that whoever authorised the spying has a confused view of how NZ’s interests could be advanced by Mr. Groser becoming head of the WTO. Had he gotten the job he would have become the head of a major international organisation with many constituencies and therefore would have been very constrained in showing favouritism to NZ on policy matters. Advancing Mr. Groser’s candidacy via spying on rival candidates can not be considered to be synonymous with advancing the national interest unless one thinks that merely having a Kiwi in an important international position does so. That would be naive at best.

More to the point, just because something is legal does not mean that it is necessarily right or prudent to do so. In addition, diverting GCSB resources in support of the Groser candidacy took time and labour away from other areas of interest that could arguably include subjects and targets much more closely linked to national security. And worse yet, the spying effort was an exercise in futility–Groser did not get the job so all of that effort was wasted.

But most of all, it was very imprudent to engage in spying on Mr. Groser’s rivals. Not only does it smack of looking for dirt on them, but the backlash should the facts become public (as they have) can seriously compromise future NZ diplomatic and trade efforts. The PM has stated that the South Koreans do not care about the story, but other countries such as Brazil (whose candidate became the eventual winner of the WTO job) and Indonesia have already made very clear their displeasure at being spied on by 5 Eyes in any capacity. This will only add to that resentment and deepen suspicions about NZ’s honesty and good faith when it claims to have an independent foreign policy.

According to the Prime Minister, the people making these allegations are “just plonkers” so there can’t be any substance to them, can there? 😉

Seriously though, there is more involved here than a “stupid move”: the 5-Eyes relationship is itself a stupid one for this country to have.

Acting as a 5-Eyes cyber-spying node associates New Zealand with and even immerses it in the global expectations, agendas and activities of a major, nuclear superpower in ways that we cannot control.

That can enmesh us deeply in contibuting to the 5-Eyes intelligence used to support the global nuclear strategies of a US that is its controlling member.

Which puts us in a position where our nuclar-free status is compromised, and in practice this potentially warrants our, once again, being designated as a nuclear target if at some time in the next decade or so a crisis between the US and a nuclear opponent builds up to the point where a mass nuclear exchange takes place (notably involving potentially Russia or China as its opponents).

Meanwhle, being immersed thus in the 5-Eyes club is not compatible with our being seen as “independent” which in practice also diminishes/undermines our aspirations to act and be seen to act as an “honest borker”.

Finallly, membership also potentially taints us in the eyes many others subject to 5-Eyes spying, others with whom we want and need good relations and trade.

So the central challenge facing us all now is to define new ways of relating constructively and well both to the United States and to others at the same time.

You are preaching to the converted. I have written fairly extensively on the subject and have even posed the suggestion that NZ consider withdrawing from 5 Eyes in public forums (although I believe that the costs may outweigh the benefits of doing so).

Incidentally, the broad scope of GCSB spying is outlined in Section 7 of the GCSB Act, sections b-c in particular.

Thank you, Paul. I have often enjoyed your commentaries on security matters.

I’m wondering if you address, as others seem yet to do, an alternative structure of international relations and ways of transitioning to such if New Zealand and the 5Eyes relationship, even the whole military relationship with the United States for that matter, came to an end?

How could this be done in ways that open out to new, mutually-beneficial ways of relating, including on cyber-security issues amongst others?

Managed with win-win vision and diplomatic professionalism such a transition need not end up in making losses – perhaps quite the contrary, given the potential to enhance our ability to relate well to all – diplomatically, economically and also re IT and cyber-security issues themselves!

Those are the aims behind the numerous blogs I have written on http://www.village-connections.com, including re the constructive use of information technologies for the benefit of all. To offer some quick references once again:

Cheers John, for the links. I have said this before but will repeat it–joining 5 Eyes was like joining the mafia. You can never really leave. But that does not mean that NZ cannot renegotiate its role, particularly in the wake of Snowden’s revelations.

As for the military to military ties. The Washington and Wellington agreements need reconsideration as they compromise NZ sovereign ability to chose when to deploy troops into foreign conflict theatres. But for that to happen the government must change.

I gather I can exchange views with you over at your blog (so as to not take up space here).

1. How ready the US would be to re-negotiate, and to what extent they might be willing to make serious, pertinent changes?

cf blog:
John Gallagher 15.2.1.1.1.1

24 March 2015 at 10:23 pm

Thanks Paul – I would look forward to communicating as you suggest.

Just two starting points maybe to consider:

1. How ready the US would be to re-negotiate, and to what extent they might be willing to make serious, pertinent changes?

2. Alternatively, the merits of starting out by asking both the US and China, along with a few others, for their perspectives on cyber-security and their wider hopes/visions for IT, and maybe seeing then if some interested parties would like to come together for further discussion? Some of this broached via contact with embassies in Wellington….?
cf blog:
Making Wellington a diplomatic village for the Asia Pacific region – and beyond?http://www.village-connections.com/blog/?p=6936

2. Alternatively, the merits of starting out by asking both the US and China, along with a few others, for their perspectives on cyber-security and their wider hopes/visions for IT, and maybe seeing then if some interested parties would like to come together for further discussion? Some of this broached via contact with embassies in Wellington….?
cf blog:
Making Wellington a diplomatic village for the Asia Pacific region – and beyond?http://www.village-connections.com/blog/?p=6936

[The previous go at a reply got confuddled somehow – here’s the straight up and down version!]

Thanks Paul – I would look forward to communicating as you suggest.

Just two starting points maybe to consider:

1. How ready the US would be to re-negotiate, and to what extent they might be willing to make serious, pertinent changes?

2. Alternatively, the merits of starting out by asking both the US and China, along with a few others, for their perspectives on cyber-security and their wider hopes/visions for IT, and maybe seeing then if some interested parties would like to come together for further discussion? Some of this broached via contact with embassies in Wellington….?
cf blog:
Making Wellington a diplomatic village for the Asia Pacific region – and beyond?http://www.village-connections.com/blog/?p=6936

Thank you Paul Buchanan for giving us Standardistas the benefit of your wisdom and knowledge.

Under the GCSB Act amended last year, the GCSB can undertake virtually any type of spying if it is the “NZ national interest,” including on NZ’s resident or traveling abroad.

Every time I hear John Key claim ” everything the GCSB does is within the law“, I almost explode with rage. Of course it is. He changed the law to make what was illegal… legal. It would be like passing a law that made it legal to physically abuse anyone who protested against his government. Quite common in some countries.

What is clear is that whoever authorised the spying has a confused view of how NZ’s interests could be advanced by Mr. Groser becoming head of the WTO.

In your role as a public commentator on Security matters, I realise you have to be somewhat circumspect but I don’t as an ordinary citizen. It was almost certainly John Key who authorised the spying. It fits in so well with his modus operandi. That the GCSB appear to have gone along with it is indeed concerning. I also wonder whether Tim Groser was actually aware of what was occurring on his behalf. I note his defensive attitude when approached by reporters and suspect he may not have been told.

I also wonder how much of these questionable GCSB activities on behalf of the Key government may have had to do with Ian Fletcher’s apparent sudden decision to resign before his term of tenure had expired.

Thanks Anne. The question of who authorised the spying needs to be answered by the Inspector General of Intelligence and Security, who at the moment is the only entity that can demand answers from the GCSB and DPMC. And even then, she may not get the full truth if the investigation into the DPMC/Slater leak of the Tucker/Goff briefing is any indicator.

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I’VE OFTEN WONDERED if South African immigrants passing through towns like Kerikeri and Kaikohe ever wonder how we do it. In their homeland, through the bitter years of Apartheid, keeping the races segregated required pass laws, Alsatian dogs, tear gas, rubber bullets and, all-too-often, live rounds. Not here. Not in ...

Below is the list of gender-critical material which appeared on Redline from July 31, 2019 to September 30, 2019. Sports categories must be by sex, not gender identity Queer theory glossary Woke misogyny and homophobia: a gay critique of trans ideology Another unfortunate experiment? New Zealand’s transgender health policy and ...

Smart Energy Europe: A Plan to provide 100% of ALL ENERGY using Renewable Energy to EuropeIntroductionAll Energy renewable energy systems are often commented on here at Skeptical Science. Many comments suggest that it will be difficult, expensive or impossible to use renewable energy to power the world. To ...

The government released its Action for Healthy Waterways package today, ostensibly with the goal of cleaning up our rivers and making them swimmable within a generation. Doing that, of course, requires confronting the cow in the room: the dairy industry which causes most of the pollution. But while they've imposed ...

Climate Explained is a collaboration between The Conversation, Stuff and the New Zealand Science Media Centre to answer your questions about climate change.If you have a question you’d like an expert to answer, please send it to climate.change@stuff.co.nzI would like to know if New Zealand’s carbon emissions ...

Simon Lamb, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington and Timothy Stern, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of WellingtonBack in the 1970s, scientists came up with a revolutionary idea about how Earth’s deep interior works. They proposed it is slowly churning like a lava lamp, with buoyant ...

Remember KiwiBuild? Previously the government's flagship policy, it was supposed to build thousands of new homes every year for kiwi families. But instead of flooding the market, we've got a pathetic dribble: The Government's former flagship housing policy is so far behind schedule it will take more than 400 years ...

Don Franks Now Covid-19 restrictions allow gatherings of a hundred, an urgent hui needs calling. A special conference of the Council of Trade Unions. Today, workers face the greatest attack on employment, pay and conditions since the depression, we need a strong united union voice. As it stands now, organised ...

George Henderson New Zealand schools have introduced a climate change resource that suggests children “eat less meat and dairy”, even though teachers will not know how much meat or dairy any child in their care has eaten. Opinion pieces in the papers have called for the reduction of meat and ...

Questioning the number of district health boards in New Zealand has got to the extent that “too many DHBs” has become a perceived truth requiring no further elaboration. It is rarely challenged by policy advisers, academics, and journalists. But when one drills down further it becomes clear that the number ...

The emergence of a new National party leader, seemingly out of nowhere, has – not surprisingly – raised a number of questions as to who Todd Mulller actually is and what makes him tick. He has been an MP for some time but seems to have hidden his light under ...

Is Todd Muller the Ned Flanders of the National Party? This is how he’s been characterised by political commentator Gordon Campbell, who suggests the change in leadership is, in Simpsons terms, akin to swapping the scary and cruel Monty Burns for Homer Simpson’s compassionate but conservative neighbour. There’s almost a ...

We all know that many so-called journalists and political commentators in New Zealand work directly or indirectly for political parties or for certain political factions. This was obviously the case when pundit for hire Matthew Hooton launched a campaign against then National Party leader, Simon Bridges, over their numerous polling ...

Let's Roll! The easy victory over a Bridges-led National Party which the Left had every cause to anticipate just a few days ago is no longer in the offing. Our enemy’s position has changed. His numbers are swelling. A rapid thrust to the left, followed by an audacious outflanking manoeuvre ...

Anyone who keeps an eye on evidence around cannabis and public health will be familiar with the Christchurch Health and Development Study. It's one of two local longitudinal studies frequently cited with respect to cannabis and youth development. But in a new article in the New Zealand Medical Journal, it is ...

In the age of covid we are Jacinda’s team of five million, except for some. There has rarely been a more blatant case of discrimination against beneficiaries than Grant Robertson’s announcement yesterday that people who have lost their jobs because of the coronavirus will receive weekly payments of $490 per week for 12 weeks and $250 per week for part time ...

It was 75 years ago this month that Germany surrendered and the Allies celebrated VE (Victory in Europe) Day. Millions of people around the world had been killed and many more injured or captured. It was an end to war not just for Europeans, but their allies too, in countries across Africa. But its impact is ...

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Hon Shane Jones, NZ First List MP based in Northland New Zealand First MP Hon Shane Jones has today announced his candidacy for the electorate of Northland. Speaking at a New Zealand First meeting in Kerikeri, Northland, Mr Jones said it was a privilege to be selected by the Party ...

Rt Hon Winston Peters, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters today announced two diplomatic appointments: New Zealand’s High Commissioner to India and Consul-General to Hong Kong. “As New Zealand recovers from COVID-19, our diplomatic and trade networks are more important than ever. That is ...

We started the week by announcing free apprenticeships to support Kiwis into work and to help get New Zealand moving again - and we ended the week by extending the wage subsidy to 40,000 more businesses, helping to protect businesses and workers alike. ...

We’re confident in the ability of Kiwi businesses to succeed in the face of COVID-19, and our Government is committed to doing our bit to enable that success. Kiwi businesses have always been innovative and resilient, and the COVID-19 pandemic has proven this yet again. Many businesses are finding new, creative ...

New Zealand First is pleased to release the names of its first tranche of candidates for the 2020 election. The includes all sitting New Zealand First Members of Parliament except Clayton Mitchell MP who earlier today announced he will not be seeking re-election. In alphabetical order they are: MP ...

Clayton Mitchell MP, New Zealand First List MP based in Tauranga New Zealand First MP Clayton Mitchell has decided not to seek re-election in this year’s General Election. “After serious consideration and discussion with my family, I have decided to pursue other passions in my life and spend a lot ...

Defence Minister Ron Mark has announced that new Lockheed Martin Super Hercules aircraft would replace the outdated and costly 1960s Hercules fleet. The $1.521b project will include a flight simulator for staff training and other supporting infrastructure. "This fleet will ensure the Defence Force can continue to support New Zealand's ...

New Zealand First leader Winston Peters has described Labour's original COVID-19 commercial rent dispute proposal as "poorly targeted". Justice Minister Andrew Little hasannounced a temporary law changeto force commercial landlords and renters to consider COVID-19 in disputes over rent issues, almost two months after the Government first floated the idea. But ...

Rt Hon Winston Peters, Leader of New Zealand First New Zealand First acknowledges that some small businesses have been struggling to meet fixed costs due to the loss of revenue by COVID-19. We also know some businesses are at greater risk of insolvency when they cannot come to a reasonable ...

Rt Hon Winston Peters, Leader of New Zealand First New Zealand First is disappointed that the removal of the spousal deductions has had to be delayed by the Ministry fo Social Development, due to COVID19 workload pressures. “New Zealand First has always stood for fairness when it comes to superannuation ...

Rt Hon Winston Peters, Leader of New Zealand First On the steps of Parliament today the Leader of New Zealand First, Rt Hon Winston Peters received a petition from registered nurse Anna Maria Coervers, requesting an amendment to the Protection for First Responders Bill which will ensure the legislation also include registered ...

It's been a busy seven days as we start to rebuild New Zealand together. From delivering extra support for small businesses, to investing in our artists and arts organisations, to cutting red tape on home DIY projects, we're rolling out our plan to get the economy and New Zealand moving ...

Rt Hon Winston Peters, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of State Owned Enterprises KiwiRail’s Northland rail upgrade steps up another gear today and will help Northland recover from the impacts of COVID-19, State Owned Enterprises Minister Winston Peters says. The Government is investing $204.5 million through the Provincial Growth Fund to ...

“Today and every day we stand in solidarity with George Floyd’s family, friends and community who feel pain and fear about his untimely death at the hands of Minneapolis police”, said Green Party Co-leader and Māori Development spokesperson Marama Davidson. ...

Fletcher Tabuteau, Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Regional Economic Development Hon Eugenie Sage, Minister of Conservation The West Coast forests of Mount Te Kinga at Kotuku Whakaoho/Lake Brunner are the latest predator free project to receive Government funding, announced Minister of Conservation Eugenie Sage and Under Secretary for Regional Economic Development Fletcher ...

The Green Party has begun the process for a Select Committee inquiry into student accommodation, which has been exposed during COVID-19 as an under-regulated sector that straddles students with unfair debt. ...

Budget 2020 is about rebuilding together, supporting jobs, getting business moving and the books back into the black. It’s an integral part of our COVID-19 economic response, and our plan to grow our economy and get New Zealand moving again.Here’s a quick look at the five top things you ...

The Green Party is pleased to reveal its candidate list for the upcoming election. With a mix of familiar faces and fresh new talent, this exceptional group of candidates are ready to lead the Greens back into Government. ...

The Coalition Government has approved $206 million in essential upgrades at Ōhakea Air Base. Defence Minister Ron Mark said the money would be spent on improving old infrastructure. He said safety issues would be addressed, as well as upgrades to taxiways, accommodation and fresh, storm and waste water systems. "This ...

Rt Hon Winston Peters, Leader of New Zealand First “I am not persisting with this case just for myself, but for all people who have had their privacy breached. Privacy of information is a cornerstone of our country’s democracy. Without it our society truly faces a bleak future. We now ...

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This summer presents a great opportunity for New Zealanders to get out into nature with bookings on Great Walks for 2020/21 set to open next week, says Minister of Conservation Eugenie Sage. Bookings for the Great Walks will open between 9 and 11 June, excluding Milford and Routeburn tracks which ...

Extra 40,000 businesses to be eligible for wage subsidy extension Small business cashflow support application period extended The Government is today announcing further support for businesses that continue to be affected by the global COVID-19 pandemic, as the broader economy becomes one of the most open in the world following ...

The Coalition Government has confirmed five Lockheed Martin C-130J-30 Super Hercules transport aircraft will be purchased to replace the existing fleet, Defence Minister Ron Mark announced today. “Last year, Cabinet selected these aircraft as the preferred option to replace the current Hercules fleet. Procurement of the Super Hercules has been ...

The Minister of Conservation Eugenie Sage is celebrating World Environment Day with an announcement of a major step towards Wairarapa Moana being recognised as an internationally significant wetland. “Wairarapa Moana is an ecosystem of 10,000 hectares of wetland and open water that provides a home for indigenous fish, birds and ...

New public housing that will save tenants money in energy bills, and provide warmer, healthier and more comfortable homes, is setting the standard for the Government’s future public housing programme, Housing Minister Megan Woods said. Dr Woods opened the new Kāinga Ora – Homes and Communities complex, which has a ...

A new-look Police graduation ceremony to take account of COVID19 health rules has marked the completion of training for 57 new constables. Police Minister Stuart Nash attended this afternoon's ceremony, where officers of Recruit Wing 337 were formally sworn in at the Royal New Zealand Police College without the normal support of ...

Mobile traders and truck shops must adhere to responsible lending requirements Interest rate cap on high-cost loans Lenders prohibited from offering further credit to an applicant who has taken two high-cost loans in the past 90 days The Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Kris Faafoi, has signalled an end ...

94% of firms say wage subsidy had positive impact on cashflow 62% of firms say support helped to manage non-wage costs like rent A survey of business that have received the Government’s wage subsidy show it has played a significant role in saving jobs, and freed up cash flow to ...

New legislation introduced to Parliament today will support growth and assist businesses on the road to economic recovery, said Revenue Minister Stuart Nash. “The Taxation (Annual Rates for 2020-21, Feasibility Expenditure, and Remedial Matters) Bill proposes that businesses can get tax deductions for ‘feasibility expenditure’ on new investments,” said Mr ...

Sport and Recreation Minister Grant Robertson has welcomed the first release of funds from the $265 million Sport Recovery Package announced as part of Budget 2020. Sport NZ has announced that $4.6 million in funding will go to the Wellington Phoenix, NZ Warriors, Super Rugby teams and the ANZ Premiership ...

An iconic New Zealand tourism attraction and the country’s 31 Regional Tourism Organisations are the first recipients of support from the $400 million Tourism Sector Recovery Plan, to help position the sector for recovery from COVID-19, Tourism Minister Kelvin Davis announced today. The plan includes a Strategic Tourism Assets Protection ...

The Government will legislate to ensure businesses that suffered as a result of the COVID-19 response will get help to resolve disputes over commercial rent issues, Justice Minister Andrew Little announced today. A temporary amendment to the Property Law Act will insert a clause in commercial leases requiring a fair ...

The Minister for Small Business says new data from Xero highlights the urgency of prompt payment practices to small and medium enterprises as we move into economic recovery. Last month Government ministers wrote to significant private enterprises and the banking industry to request they join efforts by government agencies to ...

Young people in Waikato will be the first to have free access to period products in schools in another step to support children and young people in poverty,” Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said. During term 3, the Ministry of Education will begin providing free period products to schools following the ...

The Minister of Police Stuart Nash has issued the following statement in response to charges filed against three Police officers this morning in the New Plymouth District Court. “Any incident involving a loss of life in Police custody is taken very seriously. The charges today reflect the gravity of the ...

$196 million for Crown Research Institutes $150 million for R&D loan scheme $33 million for Māori research and development opportunities $12 million for the Nationally Significant Collections and Databases $10 million to help maintain in-house capability at Callaghan Innovation New Zealand’s entrepreneurs, innovators and crown researchers will benefit from a ...

Further temporary changes to NCEA and University Entrance (UE) will support senior secondary school students whose teaching and learning have been disrupted by COVID-19. “The wellbeing of students and teachers is a priority. As we are all aware, COVID-19 has created massive disruption to the school system, and the Government ...

Minister for Racing Winston Peters today announced that the terms for the directors of the Racing Industry Transition Agency (RITA) have been extended to 30 June 2021. Due to the COVID-19 crisis the transition period has been extended to ensure that the Racing Industry Bill can complete its progress through ...

The deadline for landlords to include detailed information in their tenancy agreements about how their property meets the Healthy Homes Standards, so tenants can see the home they are renting is compliant, has been extended from 1 July 2020 to 1 December 2020. The Healthy Homes Standards became law on 1 July 2019. The Standards are ...

Justice Minister Andrew Little today announced details of further appointments to the Criminal Cases Review Commission. “I am pleased to announce Paula Rose QSO OStJ as Deputy Chief Commissioner for a term of five years commencing on 15 June 2020,” said Andrew Little. “I am also pleased to announce the ...

The Targeted Training and Apprenticeships Fund (TTAF) will pay costs of learners of all ages to undertake vocational education and training The fund will target support for areas of study and training that will give learners better employment prospects as New Zealand recovers from COVID-19 Apprentices working in all industries ...

The Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) will finally start to cut New Zealand’s greenhouse gas pollution as it was originally intended to, because of changes announced today by the Minister for Climate Change, James Shaw. The changes include a limit on the total emissions allowed within the ETS, rules to ensure ...

Minister for Pacific Peoples Aupito William Sio says the Queen’s Birthday 2020 Honours List provides an abundance of examples that Pacific people’s leadership capability is unquestionable in Aotearoa. “The work and the individuals we acknowledge this year highlights the kind of visionary examples and dedicated community leadership that we need ...

The Government is backing a new $27 million project aimed at boosting sustainable horticulture production and New Zealand’s COVID-19 recovery efforts, says Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor. “Our horticulture sector has long been one of New Zealand’s export star performers, contributing around $6 billion a year to our economy. During and ...

The Queen’s Birthday 2020 Honours List once again highlights the dedication by many to looking after our native plants and wildlife, including incredible work to restore the populations of critically endangered birds says Minister of Conservation Eugenie Sage. Anne Richardson of Hororata has been made an Officer of the New ...

The Government will invest $10 million from the One Billion Trees Fund for large-scale planting to provide jobs in communities and improve the environment, Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor and Forestry Minister Shane Jones have announced. New, more flexible funding criteria for applications will help up to 10 catchment groups plant ...

Organisations that support women are invited to apply to a new $1,000,000 fund as part of the Government’s COVID-19 response. “We know women, and organisations that support women, have been affected by COVID-19. This new money will ensure funding for groups that support women and women’s rights,” said Minister for ...

Healthier waterways are front and centre in a new project involving more than 300 King Country sheep, beef and dairy farmers. The Government is investing $844,000 in King Country River Care, a group that helps farmers to lift freshwater quality and farming practice, Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor announced today. “Yesterday ...

A major funding package for libraries will allow them to play a far greater role in supporting their communities and people seeking jobs as part of the economic recovery from COVID-19. “Budget 2020 contains over $60 million of funding to protect library services and to protect jobs,” says Internal Affairs ...

A jobseekers programme for the creative sector and four new funds have been set up by the Government to help our arts and music industry recover from the blow of COVID-19. Thousands of jobs will be supported through today’s $175 million package in a crucial economic boost to support the ...

Minister for Veterans Ron Mark has welcomed the First Reading of a Bill that will make legislative changes to further improve the veterans’ support system. The Veterans’ Support Amendment Bill No 2, which will amend the Veterans’ Support Act 2014, passed First Reading today. The bill addresses a number of ...

Views sought on Order in Council to help fast track the reinstatement of the Christ Church Cathedral The Associate Minister for Greater Christchurch Regeneration, Hon Poto Williams, will be seeking public written comment, following Cabinet approving the drafting of an Order in Council aimed at fast-tracking the reinstatement of the ...

The law setting out New Zealanders’ basic civil and human rights is today one step towards being strengthened following the first reading of a Bill that requires Parliament to take action if a court says a statute undermines those rights. At present, a senior court can issue a ‘declaration of ...

Thousands of artists and creatives at hundreds of cultural and heritage organisations have been given much-needed support to recover from the impact of COVID-19, Prime Minister and Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Jacinda Ardern announced today. “The cultural sector was amongst the worst hit by the global pandemic,” Jacinda ...

Key New Zealand assets will be better protected from being sold to overseas owners in a way contrary to the national interest, with the passage of the Overseas Investment (Urgent Measures) Bill. The Bill, which passed its third reading in Parliament today, also cuts unnecessary red tape to help attract ...

Setting higher health standards at swimming spots Requiring urban waterways to be cleaned up and new protections for urban streams Putting controls on higher-risk farm practices such as winter grazing and feed lots Setting stricter controls on nitrogen pollution and new bottom lines on other measures of waterway health Ensuring ...

The Government is on the verge of reaching its target of state sector boards and committees made up of at least 50 percent women, says Minister for Women Julie Anne Genter and Minister for Ethnic Communities Jenny Salesa. For the first time, the Government stocktake measures the number of Māori, ...

ANALYSIS:By Denis Muller of theUniversity of Melbourne When a newspaper with the authority of The New York Times chooses to publish a party-political essay calculated to further inflame the violence wracking cities across America, serious questions arise. On June 3 the Times published in its opinion section an ...

For all The Spinoff’s latest coverage of Covid-19 see here. Read Siouxsie Wiles’s work here. New Zealand is currently in alert level two – read The Spinoff’s giant explainer about what that means here. For official government advice, see here.The Spinoff’s coverage of the Covid-19 outbreak is made possible thanks to donations from Spinoff Members. ...

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kate Noble, Education Policy Fellow, Mitchell Institute, Victoria University Three quarters of a million Australian children are likely to be experiencing employment stress in the family as a result of COVID-19. This is on top of around 615,000 children whose families were ...

Spice up the classic banana muffin with a subtle touch of star anise.These muffins came about one rainy Saturday when the cupboards were bare and there was nothing much left in the fruit bowl aside from some very sad-looking bananas. Fortunately we know sad bananas result in the best kind ...

For years, Work and Income has been telling New Zealanders they couldn’t get the benefit until their redundancy payments ran out. Turns out, it was wrong.What’s all this then?Work and Income has long told New Zealanders receiving redundancy payments that they weren’t eligible for the benefit until their redundancy money ...

New Zealand writer Anna Rankin reports from Los Angeles. Last Friday afternoon, I went downtown to a protest outside the enormous Los Angeles Police Department headquarters on 1st Street. The LAPD had set up cordons, placing orange cones across streets to block traffic. Arms crossed, they stood with a wide ...

Until the sudden closure of Bauer Media in April, Simon Farrell-Green was the editor of HOME, New Zealand’s oldest architecture magazine. Here he explains what comes next.Being the editor of a major architecture magazine was the best job I ever had. I got it in 2016, after a career spent ...

A global success story or an overly generous, unsustainable scheme that is doing lasting damage to our fish stocks? Ethan Neville looks at the ongoing debate over New Zealand’s fishing quota management system. The management of our fisheries is a touchy topic – and why wouldn’t it be? New Zealanders ...

By RNZ News Thousands of people were protesting across Australia today to oppose the deaths of Indigenous people in police custody. It comes as Black Lives Matter protests are held around the world after the death of George Floyd at the hands of a white police officer in the US ...

For all The Spinoff’s latest coverage of Covid-19 see here. Read Siouxsie Wiles’s work here. New Zealand is currently in alert level two – read The Spinoff’s giant explainer about what that means here. For official government advice, see here.The Spinoff’s coverage of the Covid-19 outbreak is made possible thanks to donations from Spinoff Members. ...

One press statement from the Beehive yesterday sounded more like advertising – or a barker’s pitch – than a Government announcement. Another advised of two diplomatic appointment, one of them – has the woman who landed the post done something wrong? – to protest-troubled and politically volatile Hong Kong. And ...

It’s not often that someone graduates from university one year and becomes a senior economist commentating on national media the next. George Driver investigates the meteoric rise of the high-flying Brad Olsen.Google “senior economist Brad Olsen” and you’ll find him quoted in no fewer than 167 articles in the past ...

As public sentiment turned against Uber Eats, a new local operation emerged promising a more ethical alternative to help New Zealand’s struggling hospitality industry. But now Eat Local NZ has suspended trading after falling out with its Australian partner Mr Yum. So what happened?A dispute between local hospitality platform Eat ...

By Budi Sutrisno in Jakarta As the death of George Floyd, an African-American man who died while being arrested in the United States, sparks a global outcry, Indonesian rights advocates and young people have stepped forward to remind fellow citizens that racism has long been an issue at home as ...

Edward Cullen became a vampire to survive the Spanish flu pandemic of 1918. Now a new Twilight novel looms and Laura Surynt, a New Zealander living in the UK, wants to live forever too. As I lay in bed this morning watching Instagram stories, Tayi Tibble told my reluctant little Capricorn ...

Over the lockdown period, thousands of people joined a Facebook group dedicated to remembering the nightlife of inner-city Auckland. Its creator Simon Grigg explains why it touched a chord in lockdown.Within a few days of The Lost Nightlife of Inner-city Auckland Facebook page accidentally going live on May 12, we ...

Throughout Anglo colonial states there is a constant habit of defining people who aren’t white as a problem, writes Aaron Smale in this personal essay. It was a balmy summer evening in the capital and cops were standing over a young brown man. I was walking down Courtenay Place on ...

"The countdown clock ticks 2, then 1, then the prime minister raises her drink": dystopia, by Ōtautahi writer Laura Borrowdale. You stand in the centre of the room, and around you, the guests seem to swirl and blend into one. There’s a mouth, gaping and red, filled with laughter. A ...

Martin Luther King Jr said in 1963: “America has given the Black people a bad cheque, a cheque which has come back marked ‘insufficient funds’." Six generations of egregious police violence later, the sentiment out of which those bad cheques were born could be shifting. In the wake of egregious police violence, ...

WATCH: In a candid interview on Sky Sport, Dame Susan Devoy talks on her concern for rising sports stars, the state of NZ squash, and the spectre of racism. Dame Susan Devoy is proudly still “a little terrier who fights for the underdog”. “I have been doing it all my life and ...

Of the huge funding boost coming for early childhood education, Playcentre has been left with just the crumbs, writes Kate Barber. Amidst all the celebration of the $430m funding boost for early childhood education (ECE) announced in this year’s budget, little attention was paid to the plight of Playcentre. The ...

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Vikrant Minhas, PhD candidate, University of Adelaide Although bacteria are single-celled and microscopically small, they still need energy to survive, just like us. One of the most efficient ways of acquiring energy for bacteria is through sweet, soluble carbohydrates: sugars. In fact, ...

PACIFIC PANDEMIC DIARY:By David Robie Three cartoonists had especially poignant takes on the tragic and toxic political aftermath of martyr George Floyd’s brutal killing under the knee of a white American policeman in Minneapolis last week. The Boston Globe’s Christopher Weyant featured a split frame contrasting a red-capped “Make ...

Are central bankers jealous that epidemiologists are the rock stars of the current crisis?There is talk that both the British and New Zealand central banks might institute negative interest rates as part of the policy response to the Covid shock. While Sweden’s central bank ended its five year experiment ...

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Monika Sarder, Senior Strategic Analyst, Monash University Algorithmic decision-making has enormous potential to do good. From identifying priority areas for first response after an earthquake hits, to identifying those at risk of COVID-19 within minutes, their application has proven hugely beneficial. But ...

LISTEN: This week's Extra Time podcast discusses racism in sport and the role of athletes and organisations in making a stand for good. Former Silver Fern and Black Fern Louisa Wall believes today's sports stars must have a social conscience and stand up against discrimination and divisiveness. Sport and politics, once ...

Auckland writer Caroline Barron has a terrific book out today called Ripiro Beach: A Memoir of Life After Near Death. Here, she writes about the memoirs that have been a balm, a lesson, or both. Throughout my life, I’ve sought solace between the covers of books, particularly memoirs. There, I’ve learnt ...

An exclusive interview with Steve McSteverson about his traumatic and tragic ordeal this week.Many New Zealanders are struggling with the news that a children’s book not commissioned or authorised by Jacinda Ardern was advertised in a newsletter for children’s books. This horrific attack on New Zealanders whose ears are permanently ...

Air New Zealand staff are dismayed and angered at the company’s announcement to cut a further $150 million from their wage bill. On Friday, the company’s Chief Executive Officer, Greg Foran, made the announcement to employees, who are still ...

The Herald reported this morning that MediaWorks was on the verge of selling its TV assets to US TV giant Discovery – but an internal email and senior source suggest the story may have been premature.A senior MediaWorks source has emphatically denied a report in the NZ Herald that a ...

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Gery Karantzas, Associate professor in Social Psychology / Relationship Science, Deakin University Life in lockdown has been tough on many relationships. But negotiating the transition back to “normal” as restrictions continue to lift could also be a challenge for couples. So what ...

A slight bounce in the economy is brightening the outlook as the country heads into the winter months, Radio NZ reports. Retail spending is up and NZ shares rose on Thursday for a third day running. Key indicators have led some economists to point to a faster recovery than expected. ...

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Geoff Hanmer, Adjunct Professor of Architecture, University of Adelaide HomeBuilder is a good idea gone bad. It is possibly the most complex and least equitable program the government could have devised to deliver construction jobs. It gives $25,000 to people who already ...

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Keller, Professor of Cognitive Science, Western Sydney University The coronavirus pandemic has silenced the world’s concert halls and opera theatres. Organisations specialising in live performance face an existential crisis under current restrictions on social gatherings, with up to 75% of people ...

Finance Minister Grant Robertson, wearing his Sport and Recreation ministerial hat, can show he can be a big spender and draw voters’ attention to his largess each time he dispenses money from the funds under his control – or the control of an agency within his ministerial bailiwick. Yesterday he ...

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Pi-Shen Seet, Professor of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Edith Cowan University Scott Morrison wants to overhaul the skills workforce to ensure a better post-COVID-19 recovery. But there may not be enough people with the necessary skills to do so. And travel restrictions, which ...

As we transition out of a Covid-focused world and prepare for what comes next, New Zealand’s ICT industry is gearing towards growth.From app development helping track the Covid-19 virus to website engineering keeping businesses in touch and online, ICT knowledge has been crucial to keeping New Zealand working over the ...

Analysis: As New Zealand eases restrictions, it no longer has international precedent to look towards and must decide on its own how to reopen the economy while reducing the risk of a second wave of infections, Marc Daalder reports While most of the country eagerly awaits a likely move to ...

Ten days is too long. That from insurance claimant advocate, Ali Jones. EQC has today made contact with homeowners via email after accidentally releasing confidential details of 8000 insurance claims on May 26. Jones says although she has not received ...

The only published and available best-selling indie book chart in New Zealand is the top 10 sales list recorded every week at Unity Books’ stores in High St, Auckland, and Willis St, Wellington.AUCKLAND1 Girl, Woman, Other by Bernadine Evaristo (Penguin Classics, $24)Winner of the 2019 Booker Prize. The other day, ...

Simon Day discovers how the voluntary carbon market allows both individuals and companies to offset their emissions at the same time as investing in native forest regeneration.When Celia Wade-Brown sold her first batch of carbon credits earned from the native forest on her Wairarapa farm, she had two customers: Z ...

Simon Day discovers how the voluntary carbon market allows both individuals and companies to offset their emissions at the same time as investing in native forest regeneration.When Celia Wade-Brown sold her first batch of carbon credits earned from the native forest on her Wairarapa farm, she had two customers: Z ...

Analysis by Keith Rankin. Keith Rankin. The conversation around the 2020 covid19 pandemic has been widely framed as ‘health versus the economy’. It has been quite political, with people leaning to the left emphasising ‘health’, and people leaning to the right emphasising ‘the economy’. A couple of weeks ago ...

Sam Brooks pays tribute to Alex Rider, and the new TV series that (finally) captures the spirit of the books.“What if James Bond was a teenager?”The concept for Anthony Horowitz’s Alex Rider series is so simple but so brilliant. There’s a reason why the franchise has managed to sustain 12 ...

Analysis - The PM resists pressure to move immediately to level 1, Winston Peters' tactics play into the hands of the Opposition and the government at last works out a commercial rent solution, writes Peter Wilson. ...

Source: Council on Hemispheric Affairs – Analysis-Reportage By COHAFrom Washington DC Federal charges against the four protectors of the Venezuelan Embassy, who defended the building in Washington DC against violent opposition crowds for several weeks between April 10 and May 16 of 2019, were completely dropped in a case that ...

Source: Council on Hemispheric Affairs – Analysis-Reportage By COHA Editorial TeamFrom Washington DC The Council on Hemispheric Affairs (COHA) joins the Black Alliance for Peace[1] and other pro-democracy organizations throughout the world in calling for the United Nations to address the systemic violations of human rights by the police and ...

Being shot by police had a profound, transformational effect on Rob Mokaraka’s life in more ways than you’d expect. A new documentary, airing on Māori TV at 7.30pm on Sunday, explores the work he’s done to heal his own mind and to ensure nobody has to go through the same ...

Human rights watchdog TAPOL has condemned the demand by Indonesian prosecutors seeking 17 and five years imprisonment for West Papuan activists Buchtar Tabuni and Irwanus Uropmabin. On June 2, the Jayapura District Prosecutor’s Office issued 33 pages containing charges against the defendant Irwanus Uropmabin. In the document, the Public Prosecutor ...

The arrival of Dan Carter is far from the first time the ever-struggling Auckland team has hoped to turn around its fortunes with a star signing, writes Jamie Wall.New Zealand rugby Twitter is a generally desolate place, especially lately given that there’s been nothing to talk about ever since the ...

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Robyn J. Whitaker, Senior Lecturer in New Testament, Pilgrim Theological College, University of Divinity US President Donald Trump delivered an address this week in which he threatened military action on the nation. Then he walked to the nearby St John’s Episcopal Church ...

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Vincent Ho, Senior Lecturer and clinical academic gastroenterologist, Western Sydney University Why do we burp? We sometimes also burp before meals, why does this happen? — Ahaana, age 7 That is a really interesting question, Ahaana! There ...

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Justine Bell-James, Associate Professor, TC Beirne School of Law, The University of Queensland After years of litigation, Australia’s highest court will today make a major decision on the fate of the controversial proposed expansion to the New Acland Coal mine in Queensland. ...

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Elise Klein, Senior Lecturer, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University Robodebt isn’t the only measure the government should consider withdrawing. Late last Friday, after a long press conference from the prime minister which avoided any mention of the topic, the ...

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Julian Meyrick, Professor of Creative Arts, Griffith University What keeps democracies together? As America burns, Brazilians die and Europe braces for another wave of the coronavirus, the question assumes an alarming immediacy. If the answer is complicated in one way, it is ...